Mine

What the hell will York say?

I walked slowly into the water. It was chilly, but eventually my body got used to the temperature. For some reason, as soon as the waves swarmed around me, I knew everything would be okay.

They’ll understand. Why did I think they wouldn’t?

Perhaps I’d just learned something more about love. One thing I knew was that I’d had no idea about love weeks ago. I knew hate and death, pain and torture, but love had left me clueless.

If they love me—us—they’ll accept this.

I took my feet off the bottom and sank, shutting my eyes. The cold water swallowed me.

Zola whispered, “I want to feel you inside of me.”

“You like that?”

“Love it.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because no other could ever make me feel like you do.”

I rose and stood within the water. It hit me at my waist.

Who am I kidding anyway? There were no alternatives to Zola and me.

A car sounded off in the distance.

Although it was early for traffic, a few fishermen liked to get a jumpstart to a good fishing day.

I turned my attention back to the ocean.

The bay spread out like a liquid mirror. Under the water, multicolored fish swam in schools dipping along rainbow coral. I dove back in and swam several yards, pacing myself and trying to burn the worst moments of these weeks out of my head.

A good hour later, I headed back. There was still no one in sight. The sun had turned hot, which helped with the chill of the sea.

When I returned, there was an unrecognizable car in the front.

Who’s that? I should’ve brought my gun out.

I took my towel off my shoulder and wrapped it around me. My heartbeats picked up, even though I tried to calm myself.

I grabbed the axe from the side of my house and entered. The savory aroma of roasted duck hit me first. Next, soft feminine laughter came from the kitchen. I set the axe down by the sofa and swallowed.

I knew that sound anywhere.

Mrs. Ellen is here?

Behind me, noise came down the hallway.

I turned around.

York appeared with a beer in his hand. “Do you always swim naked, man? That was not what I was trying to see this morning.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Zuzu called.” He stopped in front of me, took a long swig of beer, and eyed the axe. “What’s that for?”

“I didn’t know who was here.”

“Fuck, man. I’m glad you didn’t chop my head off.”

My head spun.

Zola had them come? What else had she done?

I was sure York knew what was going on. The whole time he drank that beer, he gazed at me through the side of his eyes as if to show an aggressive stance. It was something we would do to her boyfriends.

I crossed my arms across my chest. “What?”

York finished his beer. “So…Zuzu and you? You look nervous.” He frowned. “For some reason, you looking nervous makes me look nervous.”

“Zuzu and I are…a new situation that I’m wrapping my head around.”

“You look scared shitless.”

“This is a first for me.”

York kept that serious expression on his face. “Let’s face it, Hunter. What am I really going to say? I can’t beat you up.”

I leaned against the wall. “That’s not the point. I consider you my brother.”

“Me too. That never ends.” York gestured to the kitchen. “But…Hunter, you’re not the romantic type. I’ve never seen you with anyone.”

“I was waiting for the right one.”

“And that’s Zuzu?”

“You know it is.”

York nodded and then his serious expression broke as he began laughing.

I held out my hands. “What? Why are you laughing?”

“Dude, relax.” York patted my shoulder. “I’m just fucking with you. It’s not like your crush has been a secret or anything.”

“What?”

“And Zuzu has been writing your name in her diary for years.” York finished his beer. “I just wondered if you two were going to both fuck it up and get us all involved in a bunch of drama. You know?”

“No, I don’t know. You knew I cared for her.”

“It was obvious.”

“When?”

“Maybe it was when you broke her ex-boyfriend’s arm or punched the football player or that one guy that you waved a gun at on her first date. You haven’t been incognito at all. Mom and I joke about you two. Plus, anyone could tell, if they paid attention. You sit in a room and you’re relaxed. Zuzu comes in, and you can’t keep your eyes off her.”

I let out an exasperated breath. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

I had no answer.

“Yeah.” York nodded. “We’re brothers, but we don’t sit and share our feelings like that. By the way, thank you for protecting her from…your friend.”

I sighed again. “How much do you know?”

“Everything.”

“Look. I should—”

York hugged me. “We understand.”

I stood there, speechless.

“Mom cried the whole flight here,” York whispered. “She was worried about you and what you had to do for your friend.”